Being able to reliably determine whether a case is gold or gold-filled is a vital skill when purchasing antique pocket watches, especially with the various myths spread about gold and gold-filled cases. A mistake here can lead to severe financial consequences. The following "rules" can help provide guidance while evaluating watch cases. As always, exceptions exist, and some cases have been fraudulently marked - so when in doubt, please use a non-destructive test to verify the case material before purchasing an ambiguous case... Continue Reading

by Nathan Moore, 4 days ago

Modern collectors frequently debate the type of markings applied to gold and gold-filled pocket watch cases. Unfortunately, these discussions have perpetuated various myths about what distinguishes a solid gold case from a gold-filled case, based on case markings. This article aims to explore these myths that are continuously propagated in discussions. Note: To maintain conciseness, the term "gold-filled" used in this article should also be interpreted to include the classes of "rolled gold plate" and "electropated" cases as well... Continue Reading

by Nathan Moore, 1 week ago

Most American watch case manufacturers experimented with various methods to market cases that were more durable and less expensive than precious metals while maintaining a similar appearance. One of the most notable trends of the 1800s was the rise in popularity of nickel alloy watch cases that closely resembled silver. Almost every major watch case factory created its own marketable name for the nickel material used for these "new metal" cases. New case types, like the screw-back-and-bezel case, also benefited from the more durable metals offered by the nickel alloy material... Continue Reading

by Nathan Moore, 2 weeks ago